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Fund The Change

ABOUT THE FUND

ExposeYourMuseum and Question Consulting recognize that often the most critical voices and perspectives get silenced. This is particularly true for individuals who challenge convention, speak truth to power, advocate for change, champion the marginalized, and call attention to oppression. “Fund the Change” works to amplify those voices.

This is no less true in the arts and within museums, libraries, and cultural institutions than it is in other fields. Many organizations talk about “diversity” and being “inclusive”. Very few make sustained efforts or invest adequately to actualize change. “Fund the Change” is our response to pervasive inaction in our sector. It is also an acknowledgement of our own privilege and a way to hold ourselves accountable, personally and professionally, to shifting the power dynamic.

On the fringes, and often out of their own pockets, there are inspiring individuals fighting injustice and working toward equity, access, and liberation. There are activist artists. There are anti-racist theater producers. There are queer and trans-led museum exhibits. There are culturally sensitive arts educators. There are curators and culture workers that foster inclusion. There are restorative justice after-school programs. There are refugee services in libraries.

These are the people and the projects that keep us going and energize our work.

They are our hope and inspiration.

These individuals– these artists, these activists, these creatives– may not be part of an official organization that supports the labor they do on behalf of social change. They are far too often not compensated financially for their work or not paid a fair and equitable rate. They are often expected by dominant systems to make, to create, to teach, to give, to labor without pay. Organizations and institutions have their own ways of getting money.

We believe supporting individuals financially

plays an essential role in arts-based activism.

A percentage of all ExposeYourMuseum and Question Consulting revenue is automatically allocated to “Fund the Change.” Each quarter (in March, June, September, and December), recipients are drawn from our pool of “Fund the Change” activists. Priority is given to people of color, Native and indigenous peoples, LGBTIQ folks, people with disabilities, those with financial disadvantages, and women.

As part of ExposeYourMuseum’s and Question Consulting’s racial equity practices,

no less than 75% of recipients are– and will continue to be– people of color.

There is no application process. Any and all folks doing working towards anti-oppression and social justice in the arts and cultural sector are eligible. All potential recipients come to us through the recommendations of other activists in these fields. (Want to recommend someone? See the guidelines in #8 of the FAQ, below.)

Recipients are notified via email and receive a one-time financial gift. The number of gifts and the size of the gifts given depends on the amount of revenue ExposeYourMuseum and Question Consulting have generated the previous quarter, not the recipient. Gifts are at least $200– more when resources allow. Gift recipients are not required to disclose their gift amount to anyone for any reason. We believe “Fund the Change” recipients are the best stewards of their own funds and we do not dictate how recipients use their gifts. (More questions about the process? See the FAQ below.)

Want to help grow the fund? You can donate now via PayPal, or read about other ways to support “Fund the Change” in #9 of the FAQ below.

ExposeYourMuseum and Question Consulting would like to thank Monica Montgomery, Margaret Middleton, Matthew Frazier, Jarret King, and nikhil travedi for their advisory roles as we established “Fund the Change.” We would also like to thank those advisors who chose to remain anonymous. Advisory group members are thought-partners and inform the process of the fund; they do not select gift recipients.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

#1. Is anything expected in return from “Fund the Change” recipients?

No. Really; that’s the answer.

All recipients are asked if they would like their name announced as a “Fund the Change” recipient on ExposeYourMuseum and/or Question Consulting websites and social media. We love to acknowledge our recipients and the amazing work they do. If they choose, we write a blog post about them and their work. If a recipient would rather remain anonymous and unpublicized, that is absolutely okay.

#2. Can “Fund the Change” recipients really use the money for anything?

Yes. It is entirely up to the recipient.

Use the money for a meal out with your kids or partner. Buy your dog a new collar. Go on vacation. Put it toward a conference or professional development. Many “Fund the Change” recipients have been historically using their own funds to make change. We believe they are the best stewards of their own funds and that it’s not up to us how they use their gifts.

#3. How much is each gift?

It depends, but no less than $200.

A percentage of all ExposeYourMuseum and Question Consulting revenue is automatically allocated to “Fund the Change.” Currently, gifts are between $200-1,000. Gift amounts are based on revenue generated each quarter; the amount is not decided based on individual recipients or their perceived merits. We believe in the work of all “Fund the Change” recipients and give as generously as we can to each and every recipient. We recognize that gifts of this size may not be life-changing, but we hope they will alleviate stress, encourage self-care, or be a small push toward a goal.

#4. Do you give gifts to individuals outside of the United States?

Yes. Great work happens everywhere. It should be noted that the recommendation form is currently available in English only.

#5. How do I know if I have been nominated or if I will receive a gift?

If you have been referred as a potential “Fund the Change” recipient by another activist, you enter our “Fund the Change” pool. You will be notified only when you are selected to receive a gift. The pool of applicants is rolling and ongoing, meaning that just because you did not receive a gift this quarter doesn’t mean you are out of the running. You will stay in the pool for upcoming quarters. Our hope is that, in time, all potential recipients will receive a gift.

#6. Can a previous “Fund the Change” recipient receive a second gift?

It’s unlikely, but not impossible.

There are so many amazing individuals doing incredible work in our field, and we want to provide gifts to as many folks as we can. That said, we encourage all previous recipients to reach out to ExposeYourMuseum and Question Consulting when future support (financial or otherwise) is needed. While we may or may not be able to offer a second gift, we want to continue to be your champions and advocates.

#7. Does “Fund the Change” give gifts to teams, programs, or organizations?

“Fund the Change” gives solely to individuals.

Organizations and institutions have their own ways of getting money. We believe supporting individuals plays an essential role in arts-based activism. If an individual recipient decides to use their gift to support a team effort, a project, or an organization that is absolutely fine.

The individual(s) you recommend must be involved in activism/social justice work in the arts and culture sector. This includes, but may not be limited to: museums, zoos, aquariums, historic sites, libraries, visual arts, performing arts (e.g., music, theater, dance, spoken word), literary arts, and film.

Please do not recommend more than 2-3 individuals. Also please note that if a person you recommend is selected to receive a gift they will be informed that you are the person who recommended them.

As you consider folks, please think about who you feel might benefit most. This might be because they are in a work environment that does not emotionally or financially support their activism, or perhaps because they are currently not in a paying position or job. It could be because their work inspires and amazes you with its innovation and creativity, or because you have seen them confront incredible oppression and hate.

Priority will be given to people of color, Native and indigenous peoples, LGBTIQ folks, people with disabilities, those with financial disadvantages, and women. As part of ExposeYourMuseum’s and Question Consulting’s racial equity practices, no less than 75% of recipients will be people of color.

#9. I love this! How can I help?

Yay! There are so many ways!

If you see a recipient featured in our blog posts, feel free to reach out to them directly to support and champion their work. They’d love to hear from you.

If you’d like to add to the “Fund the Change” fund and support future recipients, contributions can be made via PayPal to fundthechange@questionconsulting.org— simply click the “Donate” button below. Please let us know if you would like to be listed on this website as a supporter or if you prefer to be anonymous.

Finally, a percentage of all ExposeYourMuseum and Question Consulting revenue is automatically allocated to “Fund the Change.” If you work with us, you are automatically a supporter.

#10. What inspired “Fund the Change?”

While Kate Livingston, Founder and Principal of ExposeYourMuseum and Question Consulting, has long been a passionate anti-racist with a personal and deep commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusion, the inspiration for “Fund the Change” came specifically from two things.

First, the inaction of many arts organizations, museums, and cultural institutions to sustainably support and financially commit to intersectional inclusion, anti-racist, and social justice work inspired us to take action.

Second, in late 2016 Kate subscribed to Safety Pin Box. As stated on their website, “Safety Pin Box is a monthly subscription box for white people striving to be allies in the fight for Black Liberation. Box memberships are a way to not only financially support Black femme freedom fighters, but also complete measurable tasks in the fight against white supremacy.” Safety Pin Box co-founders, Leslie Mac and Marissa Janae Johnson, started a fund called “Black Women Being”which inspired Kate to think about similar ways to support activists in the arts sectors.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

Fund the change has been able to give more gifts more quickly, thanks to these amazing people, organizations, and groups:

Kris Morrissey, University of Washington (Seattle, WA)

Cultural Technology Development Lab at New Mexico Highlands University (Las Vegas, NM)

Mark Sullivan (Detroit, MI)

Sara O’Keefe (Denver, CO)

Join them!

If you’d like to add to the “Fund the Change” fund and support future recipients, contributions can be made via PayPal to fundthechange@questionconsulting.org— simply click the “Donate” button below. Please let us know if you would like to be listed on this website as a supporter or if you prefer to be anonymous.

@huedotart Happy belated #61CHALLENGE bday to your mom! A) @IjeomaOluo's So You Want To Talk About Race, Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, and @TaNehisiCoats' Between the World and Me--to name a few. B) Looking forward to checking out Random Acts of Flyness.